Floater paddle

ABSTRACT

An apparatus has a body configured to accept a portion of a forearm therein and configured to restrict movement of the forearm, a handle connected to the body, the handle configured for being gripped by a hand, and a first side extension connected to the body and extending generally radially from the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/510,153 filed on 23 May 2017 by Danilo P. Gerona, titled “FLOATER PADDLE,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Some swimming and floating devices exist that can fit over the hand of a user. However, existing swimming and floating devices are not well-suited for providing both floatation as well as a propulsion aid (i.e., swimming). Instead, existing devices are configured as gloves or devices that primarily increase a water contact surface area near a distal end of the hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a floater paddle.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the floater paddle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of the floater paddle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the floater paddle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway top view of the floater paddle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the floater paddle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the floater paddle of FIG. 1

FIG. 8 is an oblique view of a set of floater paddles of various sizes and proportions.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the set of floater paddles of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the floater paddle of FIG. 1 as worn by a user.

FIG. 11 is an oblique view of two of the floater paddles of FIG. 1 being utilized for a kickboard functionality.

FIG. 12 is an oblique view of two of the floater paddles of FIG. 1 being utilized as a stationary flotation device.

FIG. 13 is an oblique view of the floater paddle of FIG. 1 being utilized as a swimming aide for a traditional crawl style swim technique.

FIG. 14 is an oblique top view of an inflatable floater paddle.

FIG. 15 is an oblique bottom view of the inflatable floater paddle of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an oblique rear view of the inflatable floater paddle of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an oblique front view of the inflatable floater paddle of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is an oblique view of the inflatable floater paddle of FIG. 14 as worn by a user.

FIG. 19 is an oblique view of the inflatable floater paddle of FIG. 14 in deflated and folded configuration.

FIG. 20 is an oblique view of the inflatable floater paddle of FIG. 14 in a deflated and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 21 is a cutaway top view of an alternative embodiment of a floater paddle that has removable and symmetric side extensions.

FIG. 22 is a cutaway top view of another alternative embodiment of a floater paddle that has removable and asymmetric side extensions.

FIG. 23 is another alternative embodiment of a floater paddle that has an arm strap.

FIG. 24 is another alternative embodiment of a floater paddle that has a handle having an alternative orientation.

FIG. 25 is a cutaway top view of another alternative embodiment of a floater paddle that has a split configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a floater paddle 100 is shown. The floater paddle generally comprises a body 102, a handle 104, side extensions 106, and a hand entrance rim 108. In this embodiment, the floater paddle 100 is constructed of a unitary piece of high density and buoyant foam. However, in alternative embodiments, the floater paddle 100 can comprise other materials and can comprise multiple initially separate pieces that are joined together by bonding, adhesives, fasteners, and/or any other suitable means of connecting portions of the floater paddle. Regardless of the material selected, highly buoyant materials are preferred and in cases where porous or cellular materials are utilized, exterior surfaces are preferably sealed to prevent water infiltration into the material itself. In some embodiments, one or more of the materials can comprise a closed-cell foam that do not absorb appreciable amounts of water so as not to easily become waterlogged.

The body 102 comprises an at least partially tubular structure that, while lightweight and water resistant, is generally elastically deformable. Alternative embodiments may comprise substantially rigid inner components and/or outer shells, and the shells may be filled with air or buoyant materials. As shown, the body 102 is sufficiently rigid without the addition of stiffer structures to substantially maintain its shape during the intended uses as a swimming and/or floatation aide worn on an arm of a user. The body 102 comprises a hand entrance rim 108 near the rear of the body 102. The handle 104 comprises a bar, rod, or other lengthwise structure sized and shaped to be easily gripped by a human hand and, in this embodiment, the handle 104 is formed integrally with the body 102. A user can grip the handle 104 while a portion of the user's forearm is at least partially caged within the tubular portion of the body 102, thereby allowing the user to manipulate the floater paddle 100. In alternative embodiments, the handle 104 may be bonded, glued, and/or otherwise affixed to the body 102. As mentioned above, the body 102 is somewhat tubular insofar as the body 102 is open to a front-located hand opening 105 sized and shaped to allow the hand, wrist, and/or arm of a user to extend out from the body 102 into the hand opening 105 that is defined as an open space between the front opening of the tubular portion of the body 102 and the handle 104. The tubular portion of the body 102 comprises somewhat flattened or narrower left and right side extensions 106 as viewed from the front.

In operation, a human user of the floater paddle 100 can use the floater paddle 100 by inserting a hand into the tubular portion of the body 102 primarily by passing the hand and/or wrist through the substantially circular opening defined by the hand entrance rim 108. Next, a user can further increasingly insert a forearm into the body 102 until the user's hand, fingers, thumb, and/or wrist extend out of the tubular portion of the body 102, into the hand opening 105 and/or into contact with the handle 104. Next, the user can grasp the handle 104 with fingers and a thumb so that the user can manipulate the floater paddle 100 and/or move the floater paddle relative to water. In cases where the user is floating in a body of water, the floater paddle 100 can be utilized as a floating aid by drawing the floater paddle 100 to a location near the user's torso and/or chest while in an upright position or to near the user's torso when floating in a supine or prone position. The user can alternatively utilize the floater paddle 100 to improve locomotion in the body of water by performing swimming type strokes while the floater paddle 100 is installed on the user's arm. More specifically, the floater paddle 100 can be used to dig through water so that the broader left-right surface area and/or profile of the body 102 combined with the side extensions 106 increases resistance of passing the floater paddle 100 through the water. In other words, while the floater paddle 100 is being worn as described above, a user can swim further, faster, and/or otherwise more effectively by utilizing the increased surface (as compared to a human arm and/or hand alone) to apply more force to the water, thereby resulting in improved propulsion and/or locomotion. Without removing the floater paddle 100 from the user's arm, a user can switch between utilizing the floater paddle 100 as a highly effective floatation device (such as when drawn to a position near the user's body) and a swimming device (when used to increase locomotive effect in the water).

It will be appreciated that while the floater paddle 100 is described above as comprising particular types of materials, it is contemplated that any other suitable material and/or combination of materials can be utilized to improve the floatation and swimming capabilities of a user. In some cases, a foam material can be coated and/or encased within a rubber material (of the type sometimes used for diving flippers or the like). In some cases, the body 102, handle 104, and/or side extensions 106 can be coated and/or otherwise provided with a smooth exterior that lowers resistance to movement through water (such as, but not limited to, vinyl, plastic, and/or polyethylene). In some cases, the exterior coating can be compressed into the outer surface of the foam or other primary material of the body 102, handle 104, and/or side extensions 106.

While the body 102 is shown as comprising a generally tubular shape, alternative embodiments of a body can comprise any other suitable structures and/or material that can effectively at least partially cage a portion of a user's forearm so that when the user's forearm is at least partially caged by the body 102 while the user grips the handle 104, the floater paddle 100 is captured relative to the user's arm.

As an example, referring now to FIG. 23, an alternative embodiment of a floater paddle 500 is shown. The floater paddle 500 is substantially one half of the floater paddle 100 and comprises a body 502, a handle 504, and side extensions 506. However, instead of the body 502 comprising a substantially tubular shape, the body 502 is shaped as a half of a tube that works together with a strap system 510 to selectively restrain a user's forearm. In this embodiment, the strap system 510 comprises a strap 512 tethered to one of the side extensions 506 and a retainer bar 514 connected to the opposing side extension 506. The strap 512 comprises complementary hook and loop type fastener materials in a first region 516 and a second region 518, respectively, so that the strap 512 can be threaded between the retainer bar 514 and the side extension 506, and then folded back and attached to itself, thereby capturing the retainer bar 514. In alternative embodiments, the strap system 510 may be attached to portions of the body 502 rather than the side extensions 506. In alternative embodiments, a body and/or side extensions may comprise alternative components for wrapping around, capturing, bounding, and/or otherwise bracing the body of a floater paddle relative to a user's forearm.

While the handle 104 is shown as comprising a substantially parallel orientation relationship relative to the directionality of the substantially radially extending side extensions 106 (as viewed from the front), FIG. 24 shows an alternative embodiment of a floater paddle 600 that comprises a different handle orientation. The floater paddle 600 comprises a body 602, a handle 604, and side extensions 606 that are substantially similar to those of floater paddle 100. However, the handle 604 is, when viewed from the front, rotated ninety degrees relative to the orientation of the handle 104 so that the handle 604 is substantially perpendicular relative to the leftward and rightward extending side extensions 606 (as viewed from the front). This handle 604 orientation may allow a user to more comfortably perform the arm related movements associated with running actions while in a body water, such as the running actions often undertaken in water aerobics exercises. Of course, in alternative embodiments, a handle may be provided with any other suitable angular orientation relative to the directionality of the side extensions.

While the body 102 is shown as comprising completely closed ring type tubular structure, FIG. 25 shows an alternative embodiment of a floater paddle 700 that has a body 702 that is substantially tubular but is not formed of a closed ring. Instead, the body 702 comprises a lengthwise gap 703 or split. In embodiments where the body is at least partially elastically deformable, the gap 703 allows for more flexibility of the body 702 for a more comfortable and/or expandable fitment onto a user's forearm. Additionally, the gap 703 can provide an emergency rip away or removal feature so that if the user's arm must be removed from the body 702 in a direction other than through an end entry point (such as through a hand entrance rim 108), the force required to move the forearm through an expandable gap 703 by deflecting the split ring is less than the force that would otherwise be required to rip or tear the body material itself to allow a similar lateral passage of the forearm though the body wall. In alternative embodiments, a perforation or predetermined rip path may be formed in the body so that while the body serves as a closed ring during normal use, the rip path can nonetheless allow a break away feature that allows ripping the body wall with relatively less force than would be required without the rip path.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the floater paddle 100 is shown in relation to substantially similarly shaped floater paddles 100′, 100″, 100″. The floater paddle 100′″ is generally larger than the floater paddle 100 and the floater paddles 100″, 100′ are successively smaller than floater paddle 100. The multiple sizes of similarly functional floater paddles are shown to illustrate that while a hand entrance rim size can be changed to accommodate different sizes of forearms, the entirety of the floater paddle need not be proportionally changed. Instead, in some cases, while the hand entrance rim size (108, 108′, 108″, 108′″) is increased, an overall length (L, L′, L″, L′″) from front to back of the floater paddle is increased by a smaller percentage. In other words, floater paddles capable of accommodating larger diameter forearms need not be proportionally increased in length, and vice versa with regard to accommodating smaller diameter forearms.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a floater paddle 100 is shown as worn by a user 1000 with the body 102 encircling the user's forearm 1002 and the handle 104 being gripped by the user's hand 1004.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a user 1000 is shown wearing two floater paddles 100, one on each arm. In this illustration, the user 1000 is lying prone in a body of water with arms outstretched in front of the user's head and the floater paddles 100 can be utilized for a kickboard functionality so that the user 1000 can propel by kicking feet and maintaining the location of the floater paddles 100 relative to the user's body.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a user 1000 is shown wearing two floater paddles 100, one on each arm. In this illustration, the user 1000 is lying supine in a body of water with arms outstretched toward the user's feet. In this position, the floater paddles 100 can be utilized for a stationary floatation functionality.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a user 1000 is shown wearing a floater paddle 100. In this illustration, the user 1000 is performing a traditional crawl type swimming action in a body of water. As shown, the user 1000 is beginning to dig into the water with the floater paddle 100 so that the side extensions 106 can serve as paddles or increased surface area displacement devices to assist with forward locomotion in the body of water.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-17, an inflatable floater paddle 200 is shown. The inflatable floater paddle 200 is substantially similar to the floater paddle 100 insofar as it provides a user similar functionality as well as insofar as it comprises a body 202, a handle 204, side extensions 206, and a hand entrance rim 208. The inflatable floater paddle 200 further comprises an inflation port 210 of the sort that typically found associated with inflatable rafts and that comprises an integral check valve and attached port plug. In this embodiment, the inflation port 210 can be opened to provide fluid communication with multiple but interconnected internal bladder spaces. In alternative embodiments, an inflatable floater paddle can comprise multiple inflation ports associated with segregated internal bladder spaces. As shown in FIG. 19, the inflatable floater paddle 200 can be initially provided and/or stored in a deflated and folded state in which the inflatable floater paddle 200 is folded. In some cases, the inflatable floater paddle 200 can be unfolded as shown in FIG. 20 prior to inflation. In the state shown in FIG. 20, the inflatable floater paddle 200 is, but for the inflation port 210, substantially flat. Once unfolded from the state of FIG. 19 to the state of FIG. 20, the hand opening 205 can be more clearly seen. Referring now to FIG. 18, an inflatable floater paddle 200 is shown as worn by a user 1000 with the body 202 encircling the user's forearm 1002 and the handle 104 being gripped by the user's hand 1004.

Referring now to FIG. 21, a floater paddle 300 is shown. The floater paddle 300 is substantially similar to floater paddle 100, but comprises removable side extensions 110. The side extensions 110 comprise a first complementary component 112 that can be selectively connected to a second complementary component and/or feature 111 of the body 102. As such, the floater paddle 300 can be provided with interchangeable and/or modular functionality so that a single body 102 can be selectively coupled with a variety of side extensions.

Referring now to FIG. 22, a floater paddle 400 is shown. The floater paddle 400 is substantially similar to floater paddle 300, but comprises dissimilar side extensions 114, 118. The floater paddle 400 further comprises internal support structures 116 embedded within the side extension 114. The support structures 116 enable a larger force to be imparted to the side extension 114 without undesirably deforming the side extension 114. In some cases, the smaller side extension 118 may be located closer to the user's torso while the larger side extension 114 may be located relatively further away from the user's torso. The smaller side extension 118 comprises a mounting feature 120 and the support structure 116 additionally serves as a mounting feature.

The floater paddle bodies described above generally comprise tubular, ring-like, and/or split-ring type structures for at least partially caging a portion of a user's forearm. However, it will be appreciated that any other suitable structure for restricting lateral displacement of the user's forearm axis 1010 (for example, as the floater paddle 100 is viewed from the front and back) is hereby contemplated. The body structures need not encircle the forearm, but rather, need only provide lateral displacement restriction of the forearm and cocking displacement of the forearm relative to the user's wrist so that when the user grips the handle of the floater paddle, the body and attached side extensions are limited in their movement relative to the forearm.

Finally, a single floater paddle can be grasped by a user and used as a kickboard by gripping a first side extension with a first hand of a user, gripping a second side extension with a second hand of the user, and floating prone in a body of water with the user's arms extended so that the body of the floater paddle is located forward relative to the user's head.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations, and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of the embodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R_(l), and an upper limit, R_(u), is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=R_(l)+k*(R_(u)−R_(l)), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention. 

1. An apparatus, comprising: a body configured to accept a portion of a forearm therein and configured to restrict movement of the forearm; a handle connected to the body, the handle configured for being gripped by a hand; a first side extension connected to the body and extending generally radially from the body; a second side extension connected to the body and extending generally radially from the body in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first side extension extends from the body; wherein no portion of the body extends forward of the handle; wherein the second side extension is substantially identical to the first side extension; and wherein the portion of the body configured to accept the portion of the forearm is substantially symmetrical about an axis of the forearm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle extends along a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the first side extension extends relative to the body.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the body, the handle, and the first side extension are buoyant.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second side extension connected to the body.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second side extension extends generally radially from the body in a direction opposite relative to the direction in which the first side extension extends away from the body.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body, the handle, the first side extension, and the second side extension are formed integrally.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the body, the handle, the first side extension, and the second side extension comprise a foam material having a substantially constant density.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first side extension is selectively attachable and removable from the body.
 9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second side extension is substantially a mirror image of the first side extension.
 10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second side extension extends a maximum radial distance from the body less than a maximum radial distance that the first side extension extends from the body.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the body, the handle, and the first side extension is inflatable.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second side extension is inflatable.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: an inflation port.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the body, the handle, the first side extension, and the second side extension are constructed to form an interconnected bladder space that is inflatable via the inflation port.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the body, the handle, and the first side extension comprise an embedded stiffener.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the embedded stiffener comprises a rod.
 17. A method, comprising: providing a body configured to accept a user's forearm and configured to restrict movement of the forearm; providing a handle attached to the body, wherein no portion of the body extends forward of the handle; inserting a user's hand through the interior space of the body so that the body at least partially restricts movement of the user's forearm; and gripping the handle using the user's hand that is associated with the portion of the user's forearm that restricts movement of the forearm.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: utilizing a buoyancy of at least one of the body and the handle to assist the user in floating in a body of water.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing at least one side extension attached to the body and extending radially away from the body; and utilizing the side extension as a paddle to provide locomotion within a body of water.
 20. A method, comprising: providing a body configured to receive a portion of a user's forearm and configured to restrict movement of the forearm; providing a handle attached to the body, wherein no portion of the body extends forward of the handle; providing a first side extension extending radially from the body; providing a second side extension extending radially from the body, wherein the second side extension is substantially identical to the first side extension; gripping the first side extension with a first hand of a user; gripping the second side extension with a second hand of the user; floating prone in a body of water with the user's arms extended so that the body is located forward relative to the user's head. 